Maui’s dolphin is already protected within its main habitat range and the people are happy to know this development, told Owen Symmans, CEO New Zealand Seafood Industry. He explained that the dolphin species found only on the West Coast of the North Island is already protected from fishing activities by a fishing restriction that has been in place since 2002.
It is found that more than four out of five people support banning set nets and trawl nets in areas where Maui’s dolphins live. The 83 percent of respondents pleased to know that the current government policy is already placed to protect Maui’s dolphins. Not a single death of Maui’s dolphins has been reported since the set-net ban was put in place.
Symmans opined that there is great need for restrictions where the future of an endangered dolphin species is affected. He added that the industry supports codes of practice which is currently in place to mitigate interactions with Hector’s dolphins. He said that the authority support further research on this species to ensure that appropriate and effective decisions can be made to ensure they do not become at risk.
